Apparatus for separating liquids and gases



Aug. 19, 1952 J. V. CRAWFORD ET AL 2,607,437

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS AND GASES By THE/R Afro/muws 'b2/awMECH/557m HAR/W5 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED f STATES PATENT oFFJCEEPARATING LIQUIDS GASES Y James V. Crawford and Raymond W. Jensen, Los

Angeles, Calif., assignors to The'Garrett Corporation, .Los Angeles,Calif., a. corporationy of APPARATUS -FOR S AND vCalifornia ApplicationMarch 29, 1948, Serial No, 17,776

ditioning systems since various other applica'- tions thereof arepossible, aswill beapparent to those skilled in the art.

When the ambient temperature is such that the temperature of the airdelivered to an aircraft cabin or other chamber must be reduced, it iscustomary to refrigerate at least a portion ofthe air supplied to thecabin'lby compressing it so as to elevate its temperature and pressuresubstantially above atmospheric,v after which the temperature of thecompressed air is reducedI in'a suitable heat exchanger which mayutilize ambient air as-the cooling medium.y Thereafter thev compressedair is expanded to a vpressure commensurate with that desired inthe'cabin, the result of such expansion being to reduce the temperatureof the air below the ambient temperature.' The expansionmay take placein Van` air turbine', for examplepwhich turbine is preferably connectedto the compressor so that ther work done by the air in expanding mayl beutilized to offset at least partially the work done upon the air incompressing it.

If the temperature of the air cooled by expansion in the turbine orothervr device `is` reduced below the dew point, which is frequently thecase, some of the water vapor in the air condenses to form exceedinglyfine, vdiscrete droplets which'appear as a light fog in the air streamemanating from the turbine. Since the quantity of condensate formed inthis manner is frequently excessive, it may be necessary to remove atleast a portion of such condensate from the airj entering the cabin inorder to attain proper control of the humidity of the air in the cabin.This is desirable both from the standpoint of passenger comfort and fromthe standpoint of preventing deterioration of the equipment andvfurnishings in the cabin through contact ofvv excessively humid airtherewith. In VAcases where close humidity control might be desirable ahumidistat may be located withinthe cabin; or

the duct leading thereto, in` order to control theA 9.v Claims. (Cl.18S-71) mixingv of a portionof saturated airV as Ait leaves theturbinewith a portion of thev air from which the entrained water hasbeen separated. It is also possible to control the lhumidity byinjecting a controlled spray of water into the air before it enters thecabin. Such methods of humidity control are well known in the airconditioneng art andformno part vof the presentinvenion. y Y

We have found that commercially available types of apparatus forseparating liquids from gases will not remove the exceedingly finecondensate droplets produced by expanding compressed air inthe foregoingYmanner to a satisfactory degree and, accordingly, thev provision of aseparating apparatus which will operate successfully on such ne dropletsis a primary object of this invention. i Y

In general, the present invention provides an apparatus for causing thecondensate droplets in'the air stream emanating from the turbineor otherexpansion device to coalesce so as to form relatively larger drops, andfor conveying such larger drops out of the path of the air stream. Inthis respect, the function of the apparatus of the present invention issimilar to that of the apparatus disclosed in prior application SerialNo. 769,272, entitled Gas-Liquid Separator and filed August 18, 1947, bySoren K. Andersen and Raymond W; Jensen, the latter being co-inventor ofthe invention disclosed herein. The apparatus of the'present inventionmay, in many instances, be substituted for the apparatus disclosed insaid prior application, and may be substituted therefor particularlyadvantageously when the velocity of the stream from which liquidparticles are t'obe removed is relatively low.

In general, anobject of the present invention is to provide an apparatushaving brous filtering means through which the air or other gaseousfluid is required to flow and which is adapted to collect condensatedroplets or other liquid rparticles entrained therein and convey themfrom the path of the fluid stream.

An important object is to provide such a filtering means whichfcomprisestwo or more brous condensing elements in series so that the air orother-gaseous uid from which liquid is to be removed is'required to passthrough the ltering elementsin sequence. With this construction, the rstfiltering element in the series serves to coalesce the ine condensatedroplets entrainedets which extend transversely of the. path of ythe:-stream in substantially horizontally planes, andv wherein the secondfiltering elementcomprisesa. Y plurality of pockets which-'extends'-transversely of the path of the stream in substantially vertical planes.The pockets of the second filtering element are adapted to conduct thedrops collected therein downwardly out of the path of the stream. Thepockets in the two filtering ele.

ments are open at their upstream ends and closed at their downstreamends sothat the air orothergaseous fluid from which ventrainedliquidparticles are .to be removed.A isA required -toA pass through thefibrous material formingl the walls of the pockets. ZVhen-the air havingcondensate` droplets-entrained therein is Arequired-.to flow through thebrous walls defining the pockets of the filtering elements in thismanner, the brous material forces the fine condensate droplets'entrainedin therair to combine with each other withinI the Ainterstices ofthe.fibrous material, whichis anr important'A feature of the invention.Ultimately, the larger drops produced 4by coalescence of the i'necondensate droplets in the first filtering element inthe series will beejected from thisl element 4bythe air-passing therethrough and will becollected and Vconducted downwardly out of the path of the air stream bythevsecond iiltering element in the series.

yA further object of the invention is an improved meansior supporing thebrous walls forming the pockets of the lteringy elements..

YAnother object of the invention is to provide aseparating apparatushaving-by-pass means for diverting the air streamaround the filteringelements in-the event that iiow through themlatter is interrupted forany reason, as bythe ,formationA of ice therein due toAcooling of'y theair and the condensate droplets entrained therein Ybelovv3vv2 F..n ltheexpansion device.

tant feature of the invention.

Still another object is to provide a *separatingI apparatus wherein thefiltering elements are incorporated in ,separatingy units or cartridgeswhich may be installedin or removed from'a housing readily. A relatedobject is toiprovide such an apparatus wherein thehousing and one of thefiltering elements are provided with .co-'

rious other objects and advantages'which will be' evident hereinafter,may bev realizedv through the employment of the-exemplary embodimentwhich is illustrated in the accompanying drawings andwhich is describedin detail hereinafter. ReferringV to the drawings, whichare-for.illustrative purposes: l.

Fig. 1 is aperspective view on a reduced scale of ya separatingapparatuswhich embodies the invention, part ofthe housing of theapparatus to provide and 4 being broken away to reveal the condensingunits therein;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowsintersecting the broken line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. Fk is a sectional view taken along the broken'line 3-3 of Fig. 2and showing therst condensing unit in the series;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the broken line lif-li of Fig. 2and showing the second condensing unit in the series;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional viewv` takengalong thebroken line 5--5 of Fig. 3

v'and showingdetailsof the iirst condensing unit;

Fig: 6 is Afanenlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken alongthe brokenline 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is'anenlarged, fragmentary sectional 'I view taken along thebroken line 'I-'I of Fig. 4

Thus, the; by-,pass means prevents a shut-,down of, or damageqtm. theair conditioning system,-which jis animpor-j and showing details ofthesecond condensing unit. Y

lfteferring particularly to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, theseparating apparatus includes, 'in general, two separating. orcoalescing -units -II and I2 in series, the rst unit I i being formed intwo parts IIa and vIl b'in'the particular construction illustrated, asVbestshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The separatingunits II and I2 arelenclosed by a lhousing i3 Ywhich serves as aconduit orastream of air orother gaseous Yfluid from which gentrainedliquidjparticles are Yto ybeVremoved. Thehousing has afboX-'like configuration in the particularconstruction illustrated in the drawings. End Walls I4; and I5 ofthehousing I3 are provided with openings I6 andV I'I,j, respec tively,which serve as an inlet and an outlet', re-

spectively, forthe stream of gaseous uid.'Y As best shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, the end wall I4of the housing I3 is provided with atubular extension 2.0 which encircles the inletY I6 and which carriesdiffusing-means 2l. The diiusing means comprisesv a plurality ofconcentrid, generally bell-shaped diffusing members 22 which divergefrom the inlet. The function of the dif' fusing means ZI is to spreadthe gaseous fluid enteringthe lhousing I3 through the inlet I6substantially uniformly throughQut the vinterior of' the housing.Connected :to the wall lli of the housing I3, as by'bolts,y 23,' is-anoutletduct-Zll which registers with theoutlet I1. iiuid throughthehousing isl from the inlet I6 through the -separating units II and I2to the outlet I7 as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. f

The separating unitsl III andIZ are positioned in the housing I3 at oneside thereof tov provide a passage 25,'bestr shown in Figs. 1 and 3 ofthe drawings, which ley-passes the units, pressure responsive valvemeans 26 being disposedin this passage. As will be discussed in moredetail hereinafter, the valve means 26 normally closes the passage 25but is adapted to open the passage whenever the pressure upstreamtherefrom. exceeds a predetermined maximum value so as to permitdiversion of the gaseous fluid flowing through the apparatus .around theseparating unitsIIandIZ.

As previously indicated, the separating apparatus is of particularutility when installed in an air conditioning system for the purpose ofremoving entrained condensate droplets from air emanating. from aturbine or 'other expansion device, although the apparatus is notlimited to.,such use, .as will readily be understood vby those-skilledin the art, Assuming that theapfL The ow ofparatus'. is'to be .'usediinconnection withfa'n air conditioning: system, the inlet'IE may.be-Aconnected to: an Y. expansion device i such t as an. .airturbine'motshown) ,1 as .by a duct (notshown) connected'atv .one-zend to.the tubular .extension 2i)v surrounding the inlet. The .outlet .duct524 may leadIto anaircraft cabin or otherchamber which is" to .be`supplied* withv conditioned air.

Considering the 'separating apparatus inmore detail, the housingIB', 'aspreviously indicated, is provided lwith a boxelikeconguration `in-*theparticular construction illustrated, the reasonfor this' being that:the'apparatus was designed. for installation in aparticular type. ofaircraftwhereinthe space available necessitated sucha` housingconfiguration. It will be understood, however, that'any desiredconfiguration for theLhousing I3 may be. employed. Aszbest shown inFigs. 1 and 3'of thedrawingsyone :side Awall Y30 of. the housing* I3'is.provided'with anl opening 3| thereinthrough which the separating unitsII and I2 maybe inserted for installation inthe housing. This opening isnormally closed by a cover plate or panel 32 which may be secured Atothe housing by bolts 33 4or the like. When installing the separatingunits II and I2, the secondf condensing unit I2 is inserted into thehousing I3 through 'the opening 3I and then moved'rear- Wardly towardthe loutlet I1 into its proper position. As best shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, the 'separating .unit-I2 may be securedin the housing I3 bymeansfof. boltsf35, or the like, extending through afiange 31 ona casing38 I3.- The pockets 53 are 'open at theirupstream ends V54 and areclosed at .their downstream ends "55, asbest shown in Fig. 2fof.the"'draw ings. :Preferably, the pockets 53 lare formediby a continuous,pleated sheet of fibrous material,` glass cloth having been found to beparticularly suitable although other iibrous materials vmay also beemployed. The .edgesof thesheetformf of the unit I2, the iiange 31terminating in'. Y

ailip 39 which extends inwardlyof thehousing. I3.' The casing 38- oflthe separating unit -I2l is provided with a second flange '40 whichisspaced 'from and substantiallyyparallel `to the flange. 31,.1the flange-40 also having' a lip 4| thereon which extends inwardly' of thehous-Ving- I3.

`After. the second-separating unit I2 has? been securedin the housingVvI3 in theforeg'oing mans` ner,.the twoparts-Ha and -I'Ib of theseparating unit II 2 are inserted into the housing through the opening3| in theorder specified. As best shownv in Fig. 2 Loffthe drawings,strapsy 44 and 45 on the downstream side of a casing 46 of theingrthesltering element '5I yare sewed or otherf wise. connected, :asindicated vby the numeral` 56 in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to close thesides ofthe pockets 53 so that all air entering .the open ends 54thereof vis required to iiow through thefibrous material forming thevwallsrof' .the pockets.

material, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

The brous sheet forming the iilteringgele-v ment 5I is supported .in thecasing 46 `in'a manner about to bedescribed. As best shown in Figs. 2and 5 'of the drawings, vthe `casing 46 carries a grid comprising aplurality of hori. zontal bars vt() each of fwhich vis disposed betweenadjacent onesof the pockets `53 atthe upstream ends 54 thereof, the barspreferablybeing substantially UShaped. The ends '62" of the sheetare'folded around flanges 63on:the

casing 46, as best shown' in Figs. 2 and 5 of the'v drawings, and aresecured by U-shaped .clips G4 slipped thereover. Thus, the bars .6U-:andthe flanges 63v carried by-the vcasingf 46 anchor the.v filteringelement 5I against downstream movement.

Each iofthe bars--60 carries a lplurality -fof fingers Y 61 which extendhorizontally lin they downstream direction... As best shown-in,-Fig.

part IIa of the separating unit II are'adapted v to seat against lthelips :iS-and'r 4I:respectively,

of Ythe iianges 31 .and40 on the casing 38 of the separating unit I2.The housing I3 carries angles 41 and 48 Whichare adaptedtoengage thecasing 46 ofthe part IIal of theY separating unit II on the upstream`side thereof so that the part IIa of the unit II is-secured in theifhousing Iii-between the angles y41,48 and-the lips-39, 4I on the flanges31, 40. The part IIb of 4the separating unit Il is identical to thelpartV I la thereof and -is secured inr the housing I3 in asimilarmanner.

Thus, the lips 3B Iand 4I of-the anges 3 1 and 40 on'the casing 38 ofthe separating `unit I2 f and the angles 41 and 48 carried by thehousing I3 serve as cooperating means on theunit .I2

andthe housing I3 for securing the parts IIa.

and IIb of the unit II in the housing. It will be apparent that, withvthis construction, the units II and I2 may be installed in or removedfrom the housing I3 readily, which is a Afeature of the invention. f

Considering the separating units II and I2 in more detail, since the twoparts IIa and IIb of the unit II are identical as previously indicated,only'the part IIa will be discussed in detail. Referring particularly toFigs. 2' and 3 6. of the drawings, each`nger"61 is provided;

with a head'8 in the form of a flat plate which is inserted betweenthearms of the corresponding U-shapedbar and is suitablysecured thereto.

Each-.of the bars 50 and the fingers 61'thereon are enclosed byalgenerally U-shaped, foraminous member 69which is provided withvdownstream extending arms, asbest shown inFigs'." 2 and'l 5. Themembers 69 are slipped over the respective bars Nl' and the'iingers61thereon' The bars and iingers 651`thereo`n supportthe'-foraminous members 69 and the latter serve to separate the walls ofthe'pockets 53 of the lter ing element 5I. Thus, flow-through theltering element with a minimum cf resistance is in- Suled.

The pockets 53 are held open by'distending means comprising a frame 12having'a plurality of generally U-shaped distending' members'13 whichare disposed in the respective pockets 53. The distending frame 12connects the .distending members 13 so that all such members maybeinserted into the corresponding pockets 53 simultaneously duringassembly, whichis a feature of the invention. .As best shown in Fig.. 3offthe drawings, Vthe U-shaped distending members 13 Any entrainedparticles `ofxwate'rl or, other liquid are caused to coalesce'by thefibrous are provided with zig-zag base portions 'III which engage theclosed ends 55 of the pockets 53 to assist in distending the pockets. 1'

The foregoing completes the detailed description of the part .I I a ofthe lfirst separator unit in the series and, sincethe part IIb thereofis identical to the part IIa, the part IIb will not be described indetail. Insofar as structural details are concerned, the separating unitI2 is substantially identical to one of the parts of the unity I I sothat only a general description thereof is necessary herein. Theprincipal differences between the separating units II and I2 are thatthe area of the unit I2 considered in a plane transverse to thedirection of iiow through the apparatus, is substantially equal to thecombined Y Yareas of the two parts of the unit II, and that the pocketsof the filtering element of the unit IZeXtend vertically whereas thepockets in the filtering elements of the two parts of the unit I'Iextend-horizontally. The importance of this relationship between thepositions of the pockets ofthefiltering elements ofthe two units will bepointed out more specifically hereinafter. A

Considering the general structure of the separating unit I2, it includesa plurality of substantially U-shaped bars 'II which extend verticallyacross and are carried by the casing 38 adjacent the upstream sidethereof. The bars 11 carry downstream-extending fingers 18, all as bestshown in Figs; 2 and 7 of the drawings. Each bar 'I'I' and the fingersI8 thereon are enclosed by a foraminous member 'I9 which corresponds toone of the previously discussed foraminous members 69 and which performsa similar function. The separating unit I2 includes a filtering element80 formed of fibrous material and provided with a plurality of pockets8| which are closed at their sides and downstream ends and which areopen at their upstream ends, the pockets 8| extending vertically. Theforaminous members 19 enclosing the respective bars 'I1 and the fingersI8 thereon Vare received between the pockets 8| of the filtering element80, as best shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. As is the case with thefiltering element 5|, the condensing element 80 is preferably formed ofYa pleated sheet of fibrous material, the ends of this sheet being foldedover portions of the casing 38 and' being secured by clips, or the like.The manner in which the ends of the sheet forming the ltering element 80are secured is illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings wherein one end 84of the sheet is shown folded over a portion 85 of the casing 38 andsecured by a U-shaped clip 86 slipped thereover. Thus, the bars 'I'I andthe portions of the casing 38 over which the ends of the sheet formingthe ltering element 80 arev folded anchor the condensing element 80against downstream movement.

Y The pockets 8| of the filtering element 80 are distended by a frame 89which is substantially identical to the previously described distendingframe '|2. v The frame 89 has a plurality of generally U-shapeddistending members 90 which are adapted to be inserted in the respectivepockets V8| of the filtering element 80. The members 90 are providedwith zig-Zag baseportions 9| engaging and distending the closed ends ofthe pockets.

Considering the operation of the separating apparatus as thus fardescribed, as a stream of air or other gaseous fluid from whichentrained liquid particles are to be removed fiows into the housing I3through the inlet I6, it is distributed substantially uniformlythroughout theVV housing by the diffusing means 2|. Subsequently, theair flows into the horizontal pockets 53 in the filtering elementsincorporated in the parts IIa, and IIbof the 'separating unit and flowsthrough the fibrous material forming the walls and/or downstream ends ofthe pockets. The fibrous material collects the fine condensate 'dropletsentrained in the air flowing therethrough and causes each droplet tocombine with others Vso as to form relatively larger drops. previouslyindicated, we have found that a fibrous material such as glass cloth maybe employed advantageously, although other materials may be used withoutnecessarily departing from the spiritof the invention.

After moisture laden air has passed through the separating unit I I forsome time, the fibrous material therein becomes saturated so that themoisture'begins to escapeinv the form of relatively.

large drops which are carried downstream toward the separating unit I2.Some of the moisture collected by the separating unit I I may also dropdownwardly onto the lower wall of th Y housing I3.

The drops of water carried into the separating unit I2 are interceptedby the fibrous material forming the filtering element as the air entersand flows through the walls and/or downstream ends of the pockets 8|therein. Since the pockets 8| ofthe filtering element 80 are vertical,the water collected by the element 80 fiows downwardly in the pocketsout of the path of the airstream. Such water may drain downwardly alongthe surfaces of the pockets, or may drain downwardly along variouscomponents of the supporting structure for the filtering element.Eventually, substantially all of the liquid particles entrained in theair stream entering 'the separating unit I2 drain downwardly to thelower wall of the housing I3 and escape through a drain adjacent'theunit I2. A drain line (not shown) leading to some suitable'point ofdischarge, such as the exterior of anaircraft in which the separatingapparatus is installed, may

be employed to dispose of the'water removed from the airstream fiowingthrough the apparatus.

Thus,'it will be apparent that the function of the vrst separating unitII in the series is to cause the fine condensate droplets entrained in'-the air to coalesce so as to form relatively larger drops which aresubsequently intercepted by the separating unit I2. 2 is to collect thedrops emanating from the unit and to convey them downwardly out of thepath ofthe airstream to the drain 95. Because of thefact that thepockets 53 of the filtering elements incorporated in the parts II-a andIIb of the separating unit II are horizontal, a large portion of thecondensate droplets coalescing therein will be carried to the separatingunit I2 by the airstream. Since the pockets 8| of the filtering element80v in the unit I2 extendvertically, the moisture collected by. thisunit is conducted downwardly out of the path of the airstream, which isan important feature of the:

The function of the unit that now therethrough isl prevented bytheformation of ice,l for example.-V ,cesllay-,forindn theseparatingnunitslll and 'l2iffthe, air isl cooled to a'temperature substantially below32? E. Aduring expansion,- which 1 may occur, occasionally lunderoperating conditions encountered.-,by v.air'conditioning systems,installed inl airgcraft.V .For example, in order to maintain the, air`inthe.,cabin of anairplane ata comfortable' temperature while theairplane is awaiting clearance for take-off on an unusuallyrhot day, itmaybe necessary` to cool the air supplied to the cabin vto a muchgreater extent than would.y normallybe the case.V If such conditions,-obtain for an extended period f of time, suflicient` ice may., formV inthe separating units Il andl2 to'greatly restrict,- or even prevent flowtherethrough, The function of the-valve means l26, ,which willnowfbedescribedin detail,

is to permit the airto flow,aroundtheseparatilg units H andf i2 throughthe passage 25 when such conditions-obtains() as to prevent damage tothe air conditioning system and so as to provide an uninterrupted supplyof cooled air to the cabin.` It wijllnoted that although the humidity ofthe air supplied to the cabin under such circumstancees may be higherthan desirable, this is but a temporary condition.

As best shown in vFigs.- 1 andS Io'f the drawings, the valve means 26comprises a flap valve 96 which-is pivotally connectedo-the casinglofthepart Hb of the separatingunit ll by -apivot shaft 91. The valve 96 isadaptedto seat against a sealing strip 98 carried by the coverplateftZseasY toclose the passage .The valve, Se `is .normally biased towarditsclosed positionw-herein-it engages the sealing .strip ..98 by atension spring'fSQ connected at oneendto the valvefand atfits other endto the casingof the Vpart-"i lb oftheseparatng unit Il. n 'A Undernormal operating conditions, i. e., Ywhen no ice or other materialtending to restrict the flow of air through the separating units Il andI2 is present therein, the spring 95 holds the valve SS closed so thatsubstantially no air is diverted around said units through the passage25. If flow through the separating units Il and I2 is restricted to apredetermined extent, as by the formation of ice therein, the pressureupstream therefrom will increase. This increase in pressure causes thevalve 96 to open in opposition to the action of the spring 99 so as todivert the air around the separating units until conditions permittingiiow therethrough again obtain. It will be understood that although thevalve 95 is adapted to open in response to an increased pressureupstream, it may be controlled by a thermostat or other suitable deviceif desired.

Although we have disclosed an exemplary embodiment of our inventionherein and have considered this embodiment in connection with a specicapplication of the invention, it will be understood that we do notintend to be limited thereto since the invention is susceptible ofvarious other applications and since various changes, modifications andsubstitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment disclosed, allWithout necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention.Accordingly, we hereby reserve the right to protection commensurate withthe full scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: acasing having spaced inlet and outlet ends; a grid disposed in andrigidly connected to said casing intermediate said inlet and outlet;ends thereof and comprising a .plurality ofspaceg substantiallyvparal1el .bars extendvbars and fingers and said ltering element.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: acasing having spaced inlet and outlet ,endsya grid disposed in andrigidly connected to said `casing intermediate saidinlet and outlet endsthereofand comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially Lparallel.bars extending transversely of said casing; a plurality of fingerscarriedv by and extending transversely of Veachof said-bars toward saidoutlet end ofVy said casing; alteringelement having a plurality ofsubstantially yparallel pockets adjacent ones, of which receivetherebetween one of said `barsand .said iingers carried therebyeach Aofsaidpockets having-an open ,end which, faces saidinlet end of saidcasing Aand having, a closed end adjacent said outletvend of said,casi1ig;. and a removabledistending frame` comprising a pluralityofgenerally U-shaped distendingmembers ydisposed in. and parallelto saidpockets, respectively, of said iilte'r'- ineelalent r r i v:3. Anvapparatus asset forth inclaim ,2 Wherein4 each Offsaid distendingmembers includesa zig-zag base portion, saidbase portions of saiddistending members extending longitudinally of and bearing against theinner faces of said closed end of said pockets of said filteringelement.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: ahousing having axially spaced inlet and outlet ends, said housinghaving'an access opening in one side thereof adjacent one of said endsthereof and being provided with flanges extending thereinto adjacentsaid one end thereof; a separating unit adapted to be n inserted intosaid housing through said access opening and to be moved axially in saidhousing to a position adjacent the other of said ends thereof, saidseparating unit having flanges thereon which are spaced from and axiallyaligned with said flanges on said housing when said separating unit isso positioned, said separating unit including a fibrous filteringelement;

' means for securing said separating unit to said housing; and anotherseparating unit insertable into said housing through said access openinginto a position between said flanges on said housing and said flanges onthe separating unit first dened so as to be retained by said anges, saidother separating unit including a vfibrous filtering element.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said other separating unitis formed in two parts which are insertable into the space between saidflanges on said housing and said anges on said first-defined separatingunit independently of each other.

6. In a gas-liquid separator, the combination of: a housing adapted tobe disposed in the line of a conduit for a gaseous fluid having liquidparticles entrained therein, said housing-having an inlet at one end andan outlet at its other end and havinga drain opening in the bottomthereof adjacent said other end thereof; a diifuser in said inlet; a rstlfiltering element of brous material in said housing adjacent said inletand provided with generally horizontally oriented pockets extendingcrosswise of said housing and having open ends facing said inlet; and asecond lteringu element of brous material in said housing adjacent saidoutlet andi provided with generally vertically oriented pocketsextending crosswise of said housing and having open ends facing saidinlet, said iiltering elements coalescing the liquid particles in thegaseous fluid and said generally vertically oriented pockets in saidsecond filtering element conveying the coalesced liquid particlesdownwardly toward said drain opening.

7. In a gas-liquid separator, the combination of: a housing adapted tobe disposed in the line of a conduit for a gaseous fluid having liquidparticles entrained therein, said housing having an inlet at one end andan outlet at its other end and having a drain opening in the bottomthereof adjacent said other end thereof, said housing also having anaccess opening therein adjacent one of the ends thereof; a rst filteringelement of fibrous material in said housing adjacentV said inlet andprovided with generally horizontally oriented pockets extendingcrosswise of said housing and having open ends facing said inlet; and asecond filtering element of fibrous material in said housing adjacentsaid outlet and provided with Vgenerally vertically oriented pocketsextending crosswise ofsaid housing and having open ends'facing saidinlet, said filtering elements coalescing the liquid particles in thegaseous iiuid' and said generally vertically oriented pockets in saidsecond ltering element conveying the coalesced liquid particles down- 12Wardlytoward said drain opening, said filtering elements being'insertable into and removable from said housing through said accessopening.

8. A gas-liquid separator as defined in claim 7 including: a cover forsaid access opening adapted to be attached to said housing; and a valvepivotally connectedto one of said filtering elements and adapted to seatagainst said cover when said one condensing element and said cover arein place.

9. In a separator: a housing adapted to be disposed in a fluid line,said housing having an inlet at one end and an-outlet at the oppositeend, said housing also having an access opening therein adjacent one ofsaid ends; a separating unit in said housing; a cover for said accessopening adapted to be attached to said housing; and a valve pivotallyconnected to said separating unit and adapted to seat against said coverwhen said separating unit and said cover are in place.

JAMES V. CRAWFORD. RAYMOND W. JENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,062,942 Woods May 27, 19131,147,463 Ulrica July 20, 1915 1,506,967 Bosworth Sept. 2, 19241,725,474 Parker Aug. 20, 1929 1,739,093 Ruby Dec. 10, 1929 1,779,458Annis Oct. 28, 1930 2,020,120 Leathers Nov. 5, 1935 2,050,508 StrindbergAug. 11, 1936 2,394,208 Schaaf Feb. 5, 1946 2,405,293 Dahlman Aug. 6,1946 2,405,716 Schaaf Aug. 13, 1946

